Tigers Will Survive (CD)
Ian Matthews
Amoeba Review
Tiffany Anders 08/02/2010
After his departure from The Fairport Convention in 1969, Ian Matthews embarked on an impressive solo career, releasing two albums less than a year apart. Tigers Will Survive was his second release in 1971. Unlike The Fairport Convention, whose brand of folk rock is rooted deeply in British traditional material, on this release it is apparent that Matthews clearly favors American roots music. With a country folk rock sound similar to Neil Young and The Byrds, this release will sometimes have you second guessing that Matthews is in fact a British native and not American. Songs like “Never Again” are bolstered by country guitar licks amidst rambling roots-style acoustic finger-picked guitars. Matthews does a fierce rendition of Richard Farina’s “House Of Unamerican Activity Dream,” adapting the issues of American politics as if they were his own. Breezy front porch listening can be found on tracks like “Morning Song” and “The Only Dancer,” which features former bandmate Richard Thompson on accordion (credited as Woolfe J. Flywheel). Tigers Will Survive is most certainly one of Matthews’ better efforts and is well worth checking out.
Track Listing
Disc 1 Titles |
Artist |
Length |
---|---|---|
1.
Tigers Will Survive
|
Ian Matthews | 04:10 |
2.
Midnight On The Water
|
Ian Matthews | 02:48 |
3.
Right Before My Eyes
|
Ian Matthews | 02:17 |
4.
Da Doo Ron Ron
|
Ian Matthews | 02:16 |
5.
Hope You Know
|
Ian Matthews | 03:26 |
6.
Please Be My Friend
|
Ian Matthews | 05:34 |
7.
Never Again
|
Ian Matthews | 03:17 |
8.
Close The Door Lightly When You Go
|
Ian Matthews | 03:04 |
9.
House Un-American Activity Dream
|
Ian Matthews | 03:23 |
10.
Morning Song
|
Ian Matthews | 03:49 |
11.
The Only Dancer
|
Ian Matthews | 04:05 |